More U.S. Men and Women Drinking, Surveys Show

According to two comprehensive national surveys, more American men and women drank in 2002 than had a decade before, ScienceDaily reported Sept. 29.

Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth compared consumption rates from the 1991–92 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey and the 2001–02 National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

About 43,000 people aged 18 and older were interviewed for each study.

Survey results showed more White, Black, and Hispanic-Americans reported drinking in 2002 than the decade before. Heavier drinkers, regardless of race or gender, had increased the number of days they consumed five or more drinks. Caucasian women were more likely than Black or Hispanic women to drink more than five drinks per day and to drink until intoxicated. 

According to lead author Raul Caetano, MD, dean of the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions, the rise in drinking is probably due to a combination of factors. “Changes in the population due to aging, the influx of immigrant groups, and a decline in mean income level because of economic recessions can all impact trends in drinking and problems associated with drinking.”

Results suggest “a variety of public-health policies, such as restrictions on alcohol advertising, regulating high-alcohol-content beverages, increasing taxes on alcohol, as well as treatment and brief interventions, may be needed to reduce alcohol-related problems,” said Caetano.

The study appears in the October 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.